AI Policy
Last Updated: October 2026
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) understands the rich complexities of artificial intelligence and its use in the creative fields; for the sake of this policy statement, we define AI usage as the use of any technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy. AI is a tool that requires a careful and nuanced approach, and GEMS – inclusive of its professional program offerings and film and media festival – values and encourages unique, ethical, responsible, and human-led creative practices and produced work, in both filmmaking and screenwriting. As an organization, we feel that AI generated work poses a risk of devaluing the enormous vulnerability and the genuine authenticity of the human creative process. As such, we ask that all of our film and screenplay submissions adhere by the following conduct guidelines:
Filmmakers
GEMFest will disqualify any feature or short film submission that uses AI-generated content in instances where creative labourers could have been employed to do this work.
Exceptions will be dependent on filmmaker transparency and disclosure and a clear explanation of the intent behind the usage of AI-generated content. If more than 10% of the images in your project (including likeness of real individuals or locations), dialogue, or audio in your film are AI generated, we ask that you disclose this to us directly. These limits do not refer to or include credits, subtitles, closed-captioning, or concept art.
If you are a filmmaker submitting to GEMFest and you are unsure if your project is eligible for consideration, please reach out to us directly at: submissions@gemsvancouver.org
Screenwriters
The GEMFest International Screenplay Competition will disqualify any feature or television pilot script submission that includes AI generated content, regardless of whether or not that content is based on an original idea by the author. This is in part due to the nature of AI generators, which rely on open-sourced materials which could, intentionally or not, contain creative work not belonging to the author making the submission.
In consideration of various factors including global environmental and resource impact, GEMS will not use AI detectors to ostensibly detect policy breaches, however, our evaluation teams are briefed in recognizing signs of artificially generated work.
As has always been our approach, if it is suspected that your work is not wholly your own, we reserve the right to request further proof of creative generation. We withhold the right to disqualify work that contains materials and ideas that are not wholly those of the author. Ultimately, work like this does not align with our values as an organization and as a creative team championing equitable practices in the screen industry sectors.
Ongoing Review
We understand that AI technology and policy will continue to adapt, and we remain open to ethical usages where it can be demonstrated, and we commit to continuing to have open conversations about this matter as the sector develops and evolves. This policy will be under regular review to ensure that we are in line with industry standards and best supporting our creative community while retaining our values at the heart of our work.
Internal Use of AI at GEMS
At GEMS, we do not take the use of AI lightly, and we resort to it only in cases where it truly supports our capacity as a small team on a small budget. We do not use AI for any grant-writing (aside from occasional summaries or templates) and we do not use it on any public-facing documents, written content or images. We never provide personal information or anyone’s intellectual property to AI platforms. We are a values-driven organization, and we hold the belief that at this point in time, AI does more harm than good on a global scale, in particular to the artists and creatives we champion.
In the interest of transparency and accountability, GEMS will clearly disclose any organizational use of AI in our work with a disclaimer, provided to all parties privy to the document in question.
We invite any questions or concerns about the use of AI technology, and we are committed to continuing to educate ourselves on best practices and approaches as time progresses.